Opportunities from AfterSchoolAfrica

The 2026 AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers are now open to doctoral candidates from sub-Saharan Africa. This grant supports 1–2 month research stays at a host university or research institute in another sub-Saharan African country. AGNES offers two streams: a General grant and a Special grant for female candidates.

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT

Tell Me About The Award:

The 2026 AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant for Junior Researchers supports doctoral researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa to undertake a 1–2 month research stay at a university or research institute in another Sub-Saharan African country.

The programme is supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) . It aims to strengthen research capacity, scientific collaboration, and networking among young researchers in Africa.

Which Fields are Eligible?

All academic fields are eligible, including:

Sciences

Humanities

Law

Social Sciences

Natural and Life Sciences

Engineering Sciences

Type:

Research Grant / Intra-Africa Mobility Grant

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Be a national of a Sub-Saharan African country.

Be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university or tertiary institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Have published at least one article from their thesis work in a non-predatory journal.

Have the publication indexed by SCOPUS or Web of Science .

Have an identified scientific host at a university or research institute in another Sub-Saharan African country.

Have a mutually agreed research proposal and work schedule with the scientific host.

Demonstrate that the proposed research contributes to development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Show that the proposed research cannot be conducted in their home country.

Female applicants can apply for either or both the General and Special AGNES Mobility Grants, but can receive only one grant. Male applicants can apply for the General AGNES Mobility Grant.

How Are Applicants Selected?

Applications will be assessed based on eligibility and merit. Applicants must submit all required documents and demonstrate the relevance and feasibility of their proposed research.

A selection meeting will be held in December 2026 , and only selected candidates will be notified.

Which Countries Are Eligible?

The programme is open to nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries , with no geographical quota.

AGNES particularly welcomes applications from under-represented countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Lesotho, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe , among others.

Where Will the Award Be Taken?

At a university or research institute in another Sub-Saharan African country , where the doctoral researcher will work with an experienced scientific host.

How Many Awards?

The call offers two types of AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants:

General AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant – open to male and female candidates.

Special AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant – for female candidates only.

What Is the Benefit of the Award?

The grant provides financial support for the research stay, including:

Travel costs by land or economy-class flight.

Subsistence and living expenses.

Research expenses through a research allowance to the host institution.

Support towards accommodation, meals, local transportation, and health insurance.

Up to €2,300 for a 1-month stay.

Up to €2,650 for a 1.5-month stay.

Up to €3,000 for a 2-month stay.

The grant is intended to provide comprehensive financial support for the short-term research visit.

How Long Will the Award Last?

The research stay will last 1–2 months .

Research stays are expected to begin from 1 March 2027 at the earliest and must be completed by 31 July 2027 .

How to Apply:

Eligible applicants must complete the online application form and submit all required documents in English.

Required documents include:

Research/project proposal of no more than 5 pages.

AGNES CV template.

Proof of current doctoral registration.

Academic transcripts.

List and evidence of published articles indexed by SCOPUS or Web of Science.

Two travel quotations.

Estimated living costs.

Invitation letter from the scientific host.

Other supporting documents specified in the call.

Applications must be submitted online by 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT .

👉 Visit the official grant page for details